Dark Entries (comics)
Encyclopedia
Dark Entries is a 2009 original graphic novel
written by Ian Rankin
, and is the author's earliest work in the comic field. It was one of two books to launch Vertigo's Vertigo Crime line, along with Brian Azzarello
's Filthy Rich
. Italian artist Werther Dell'Edera created the interior art and Lee Bermejo
painted the cover for the book.
The story involves John Constantine
, best known from the Vertigo series Hellblazer
.
program which has suffered several strange hauntings, a thinly veiled satire of British programmes Most Haunted
and Big Brother
.
This turns out to be not a television programme made for humanity, but for the denizens of Hell, and John must work out a way to escape from this.
has said "Ian's story was a bit hackneyed; it reminded me of the 1959 horror film House on Haunted Hill
; this old thing of whether you will survive the night." Craig Taylor
reviewed the book for The Guardian
and says the graphic novel "does offer a few clever ideas and some rough, energetic black and white artwork," however, he felt the plot was slack and the setting "feels dated and unworthy." Also at The Guardian Ned Beauman suggested that Dark Entries "does at least overcome most of the limitations of its own suicidally unpromising premise" and "despite some lapses in characterisation ... Rankin does seem to have a basic feel for his adopted hero. But beyond that, there's very little to praise, particularly not the clumsy dialogue."
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
written by Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin
Ian Rankin, OBE, DL , is a Scottish crime writer. His best known books are the Inspector Rebus novels. He has also written several pieces of literary criticism.-Background:He attended Beath High School, Cowdenbeath...
, and is the author's earliest work in the comic field. It was one of two books to launch Vertigo's Vertigo Crime line, along with Brian Azzarello
Brian Azzarello
Brian Azzarello is an American comic book writer. He came to prominence with the hardboiled crime series 100 Bullets, published by DC Comics' mature-audience imprint Vertigo.-Career:...
's Filthy Rich
Filthy Rich (comics)
Filthy Rich is a 2009 original graphic novel written by Brian Azzarello. It was one of two books to launch Vertigo's Vertigo Crime line along with Ian Rankin's Dark Entries...
. Italian artist Werther Dell'Edera created the interior art and Lee Bermejo
Lee Bermejo
Lee Bermejo is an American comic book artist whose published work includes interior illustrations and cover art. His career began in 1997 as an intern at Wildstorm...
painted the cover for the book.
The story involves John Constantine
John Constantine
John Constantine is a fictional character, an occult detective anti-hero in comic books published by DC Comics, mostly under the Vertigo imprint. The character first appeared in Swamp Thing #37 , and was created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, John Totleben and Rick Veitch...
, best known from the Vertigo series Hellblazer
Hellblazer
Hellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
.
Plot
The plot of the novel involves John Constantine being convinced to enter a reality televisionReality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
program which has suffered several strange hauntings, a thinly veiled satire of British programmes Most Haunted
Most Haunted
Most Haunted is a British paranormal documentary reality television series. The series was first shown on 25 May 2002 and ended on 21 July 2010. It was broadcast on Living and presented by Yvette Fielding. The programme was based on investigating purported paranormal activity...
and Big Brother
Big Brother (TV series)
Big Brother is a television show in which a group of people live together in a large house, isolated from the outside world but continuously watched by television cameras. Each series lasts for around three months, and there are usually fewer than 15 participants. The housemates try to win a cash...
.
This turns out to be not a television programme made for humanity, but for the denizens of Hell, and John must work out a way to escape from this.
Publication history
Rankin has explained how the project came about:Release details
- Dark Entries (by Ian Rankin and Werther Dell'edera, 216 pages, hardcover, Vertigo, August 2009, ISBN 1-4012-1386-3, Titan BooksTitan BooksTitan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
, October 2009, ISBN 1848563426)
Reception
Paul GravettPaul Gravett
Paul Gravett is a London-based journalist, curator, writer and broadcaster who has worked in comics publishing and promotion for over 20 years....
has said "Ian's story was a bit hackneyed; it reminded me of the 1959 horror film House on Haunted Hill
House on Haunted Hill
House on Haunted Hill is a 1959 American B movie horror film from Allied Artists. It was directed by William Castle, written by Robb White, and starring Vincent Price as eccentric millionaire Fredrick Loren. He and his fourth wife, Annabelle, have invited five people to the house for a "Haunted...
; this old thing of whether you will survive the night." Craig Taylor
Craig Taylor (writer)
Craig Taylor is a Canadian journalist and playwright currently living in London.-Bibliography:* Return to Akenfield: Portrait of an English Village * State by State -References:* * at Geist.com...
reviewed the book for The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
and says the graphic novel "does offer a few clever ideas and some rough, energetic black and white artwork," however, he felt the plot was slack and the setting "feels dated and unworthy." Also at The Guardian Ned Beauman suggested that Dark Entries "does at least overcome most of the limitations of its own suicidally unpromising premise" and "despite some lapses in characterisation ... Rankin does seem to have a basic feel for his adopted hero. But beyond that, there's very little to praise, particularly not the clumsy dialogue."
External links
- Dark Entries Review, Comics BulletinComics BulletinComics Bulletin is a website with an emphasis on the American comic book industry, updated daily with news, reviews, interviews, and editorial content. Coverage ranges from mainstream to independent/small press comic book and graphic novel publishers.-History:...